Portal Records

26/01/2024

Portal: What Lies Beyond.

Episode 03: Badmarien

Our third instalment sees us lost in a harsh yet beautiful wintery landscape. One that is storm haggard, where barren ice sheets crack under strain from the elemental pummel. Such scenes you will encounter in this hour of tense and hypnotic techno from Leeds resident Badmarien. A mix where dark atmospheres dominate and light casts itself only briefly amongst the shifting grooves and rhythm work.

Badmarien's approach to mixing is derived from a more classically orientated musical background, focused on exposing the tactile and experimental. This makes total sense for someone who has recently finished a PhD in the Philosophy of Art and Psychology of Sensory Evaluation.

As a local who has attended multiple Portal events and voiced a passion for the sounds that we too love, we were delighted to invite Badmarien to share this mix with us. So wrap up, blow into those palms, and take a bold step into that cold embrace that awaits.

Portal: What Lies Beyond. Episode 03: Badmarien Our third instalment sees us lost in a harsh yet beautiful wintery landscape. One that is storm haggard, where barren ice sheets crack under strain fr

21/12/2023

Portal: What Lies Beyond.

Episode 02: Fernie [Live @ Orbits X Surge]

For the second instalment into our podcast series, we turn the clock hands back to last month and take passage to the far north, across the borderlands and into the heart of Scotland's cultural capital. This live recording from our dear friend Ferniemusic took place between 3 and 4am, when the Glaswegian night Orbits Glasgow (co-run by Fernie alongside Deepbass and Repart) took over local creative hub Surge Glasgow for a stripped back night of no nonsense deep and hypnotic techno.

The recording is leaking with energy, offering a delightful insight into what was most surely a memorable affair. Fernie has been a true figure of support and guidance to us starting out with our venture, so this podcast is a real treat to broadcast. So lock in - see the froth of atmosphere as it bubbles and spits - and once again journey with us through to the other side.

Portal: What Lies Beyond. Episode 02: Fernie [Live @ Orbits X Surge] For the second instalment into our podcast series, we turn the clock hands back to last month and take passage to the far north,

06/12/2023

Much love to the Hypnotic Techno Circle for this warm introduction to our project! Such support and encouragement has us excited for the future and what’s to come. Many thanks!

BREAKING NEWS - PORTAL BECOMES A RECORD LABEL 🥳🥳🥳🥳

Awww Leeds in England, the nation's third biggest city, with its two million inhabitants, its permanent traffic jams, its imposing Haussmann-style buildings, its luxus Milanese-like galleries, its inviting cafes and bustling terraces… But no hypnotic techno.

On rare occasions, you might eventually hear some deep house or techno in intimate venues, if you push the doors for instance of the warehouse-type Eiger Studios or The Imaginarium. This is where Ben Grounsell has established his event series "The Motif", made to support local underground artists.

However, at one point, Groundsell experienced our dearest "hypnotic techno nirvana", ladies and gentlemen; the "sacred enlightenment" that "ya al' know". Yet he quickly noticed that organising events in our ultra-niche scene is very challenging, in fact maybe too challenging in a city like Leeds, evolving between Cathedral's Vivaldi concerts and punk rock Christmas parties…

This is how he came to the resolution to raise a humble hypnotic techno scene through a record label, that will mainly welcome artists from The UK. Portal's first release, "Unfold", came up last week; it was produced by London-based artist Acaera, formerly Basis Change, who you've probably already heard of on TGP or Circular Limited. Deep and tunnelling, in the tradition of the Scottish school, "Unfold" is a superb EP:
👉 https://portal-records.bandcamp.com/album/unfold

Another talented London-based artist joined the project, Cauê, Affin's new spearhead: he brought a beautiful mesmerising mix for the label, which also launched its podcast a couple of weeks ago:
👉 https://soundcloud.com/portal-leeds/what-lies-beyond-01-caue

Besides being a DJ and event organiser, Ben Grounsell, on his side, also loves to write on music, with for instance a rich interview of Ferniemusic that he made for the media "The State Of Hearts". This is for sure an asset to introduce his artists on his social media and to prepare the press descriptions, while it also shows how passionate he is.

On our side, we found another important quality while chatting with him: he's particularly authentic. For instance, he didn't overwhelm us with a deluge of abstract or cosmic adjectives to describe his project as many label owners usually do. Very down-to-earth, he exposed his sociocultural ambitions with obvious care and dedication, making us think that Portal is very promising, for being well-intentioned and well-thought.

A detail: the logo is spot on, don't you find it? 😀

It's one of those labels that are worth following for the (pure) light that they convey, and if you are near Leed next Thursday, the 14th of December, go to The Imaginarium to celebrate the official label launch event:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/events/1337316150247846

Long life to the new label, with love from the Circle ❤️

Follow Portal:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/portal.leeds
👉 https://www.instagram.com/portal.leeds
👉 https://soundcloud.com/portal-leeds
👉 https://portal-records.bandcamp.com

01/12/2023

🚨 RELEASE DAY 🚨

Finally after many months we are delighted to present Unfold by Acaera, the inaugural release for Portal Records.

You can directly support us this Bandcamp Friday by picking up your digital or vinyl copy (limited stock) today - the vinyl will be shipping out next week.

Leeds locals, you can come and pick up your copy along with some exclusive goods from Plant & Deck on Thursday 14 December when we will be having a celebratory launch evening: PORTAL LAUNCH @ PLANT & DECK.

Finally we just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who has supported and provided feedback on the release so far, it has been invaluable and massively appreciated. We have exciting projects in the works - this is only where our journey begins.

Of course, a huge thanks is in order for Acaera, who entrusted us with a truly wonderful and personal EP. Thanks also to Anon who has provided the beautiful artwork and all the digital design for the label so far, to Space Cadets for taking us on and all their support and guidance up until now, to Artefacts Mastering Studio for such tremendous work mastering the tracks, and lastly to Cauê for supporting the release with such a solid entry into our podcast series last week.

See our linktree!

23/11/2023

Portal: What Lies Beyond.

Episode 01: Cauê

At long last, as we settle into the rhythm of winter, it is time for us to launch our very own podcast series. And this first entry really is a special one, setting the standard for what we endeavour to be an intimate and carefully curated sequence of episodes, compiled in its first twelve iterations by the label's friends and family.

Cauê delivers a beautifully woven mix, featuring a fine selection of music, including many tracks not only from PRTLL001 but also from the forthcoming PRTLL002 that is due in the Spring. So take a deep breath, allow the tension to unravel, and step with us for the first time through the Portal, and see What Lies Beyond.

Portal: What Lies Beyond. Episode 01: Cauê At long last, as we settle into the rhythm of winter, it is time for us to launch our very own podcast series. And this first entry really is a special one

02/11/2023

Test Pressings approved. Final run incoming, releasing worldwide on December 1st 👀

‘Unfold’ written and produced by
Mastered at
Distribution via

Stay tuned for presale information!!!

04/10/2023

As we delve deeper into autumn we look now to the first release on our label. And it feels completely right that this first chapter in our story comes from our dear friend Acaera, who helped us launch Portal here in Leeds over a year ago. Titled ‘Unfold’, this EP will be available for you to preorder very soon both on digital and limited edition vinyl. Stay tuned!

15/06/2023

We are very excited to announce that for 2023 we are reshaping this project into a record label, primarily to showcase the abundance of great artists based around us here in the UK.

There are already some wonderful releases in the works which we can’t wait to share with you, with a first EP planned for later in the year. Give us a follow on Bandcamp and Soundcloud to be the first to hear about what we have on the horizon! (See linktree in bio)

We will also be launching our mix series very soon, through which we intend to share the soundscapes of artists that inspire us both locally and from around the world. In a similar vein we will continue to do occasional music spotlights, drawing attention to releases in our collections that we feel the urge to share with you. And finally, there is nothing quite like hearing this music collectively and on a proper sound system, and so our events will make a return in the future, when the time is right to do so.

Thanks to everyone that has supported the project up until now, here’s to the next chapter 🥂

10/03/2023

This week we’d like to share around the joy we’ve had listening to the latest record from Crescent London, courtesy of Dycide, who brings their deep and intricate voice to the label with ‘Bostea’.

The A side opens with Gilea, sucking you in with a fast paced groove that will invoke your inner tribal nature, perfectly setting the EP’s tone. A2 is the title track, where intertwining rhythms delicately build suspense until an enchanting resonance breaks through. On the B side, Vetune rumbles along with a neat breakbeat and mysterious prescence, before B2 closes out the journey with a classy and punchy remix from none other than Deepbass.

The digital bonus is the warping Nidrion, with a smart remix from the labels’ own Concrete Gold.

Terrific stuff!!! ☺️

Preview/buy: crescentlondon.bandcamp.com/album/bostea-crscnt12

09/02/2023

This week we’d like to share with you the recent compilation from Harmony Rec., celebrating 10 records and 8 years with two EPs presented as a lovely multipart release.

Bringing together all the artists of the label, it’s a beautiful and coherent showcase of Harmony’s signature sounds, moving effortlessly between dreamy deep house and psychedelic deep techno, and sure to remain firm favourites in our collection for years to come!

Preview/buy: https://harmonyrec.bandcamp.com/album/x-pt-1-pt-2

27/01/2023

It’s good to say we’re finally settling into 2023 with a bit of pace, and so we’ll be sharing a fresh collection of recent favourite releases of ours from the past few months.

First up, Akob made their debut on one of our favourite labels back in December, the impeccable Lowless.

It’s a tremendous journey through three orginal tracks and a remix from label regular Dycide on the B Side. We’re praying we can get our hands on a limited edition Vinyl copy when it drops, as the cover artwork is stunningly put together as always.

Immerse yourself in the thunder and the beauty of the Anthropocene…

06/11/2022

Been quiet on here recently, too busy caught up in the ebbs and flows of life. But this drizzly weekend has got us revisiting one of our favourite EPs of 2022, released on the delightful Sure Thing.

It's one of those that you kind of just want to lock away and keep all to yourself, but then also one that is ceaselessly satisfying to share with new ears. It’s a perfect and refined addition to Polygonia's body of work, complimenting strong releases on some of our most treasured labels such as Lowless and IO.

Bloom is a delightful listen, perhaps a gently cushioned stumble through dreams. We refuse to pick a favourite, though it’s worth noting that we feel there isn't a better pairing than Forest Drive West for the remix that closes out the B side.

21/08/2022

This Wednesday we're very excited to be touching down in the Hyde Park Book Club for an evening of ambient, electronica and slow chugging deep techno, to be joined by our good friend Phil Warner (Subterranea / ).

This is a free evening, commencing at 6pm - so come on through and have a beer with us, listen to some sounds with us, and leave feeling a sense of midweek replenishment. We welcome all with a curious mind. 🧙‍♂️

22/07/2022

Portal is back Wednesday 24th August in the Snug at the Hyde Park Book Club for its first social. Kicking off from around 6pm it will be an evening of all things ambient, deep and dubbed, with good friends of ours helping to provide the evening’s sonic journey.

It will be a free event and everyone is welcome to stop by - so if you’re local bring your mates and come along for a few beers and a chance to dive into our meditative experience.

14/07/2022

Deeply rooted techno is where it's at with Danza Nativa - fusing nuanced electronic music with organic tribal sounds. ALPI makes a quintessential contribution, with a release that has a lot to offer with it's percussive, sub-focused tracks packed with broken rythyms. We suggest you dive in and see for yourself.

And if this listen leaves you thirsty for more (likely), then stay tuned for imminent details on our next little gathering. It’ll be a cosy one!

24/06/2022

Our ears return to the Glasweigian Space Textures for their latest release, featuring two original tracks by Mechanist with remixes from Doctrina Natura and Vanta. In short, Mitigatus is a great addition to the labels' developing narrative.

'Obicio' feels reminiscent of the classic minimal ambient sound that will have you thinking of the likes of Luigi Tozzi - with a perfectly subtle groove that entices you in. The remix has an ethereal, cathartic edge of a tribalistic quality as you might expect if you've been following Doctrina Natura’s recent work.

In contrast, 'Coerceo' delivers a driving beat with some solid sound design providing the extra texture needed to make the track feel complete. Vanta's remix feels like an expansive reinterpretation with tight percussive sections producing oscillating enchantments.

Lovely Friday night listening!

Preview/buy: https://spacetextures.bandcamp.com/album/mitigatus-ep

10/06/2022

As we patiently await the next release from the consistently good Belgium-based label NORITE - we listen back to label-head Foreign Material‘s 2021 album: Memories of Lumeria.

It is escapism at its finest, a sublime and hypnotic journey through otherworlds that is perfectly encapsulated by the album's cover art, visualised by Foreign Material under their MA7R alias.

The soundscapes appear drenched in mythology and fit perfectly with the mystical feel of the label. The journey is one that weaves through ambient and deep techno rythyms, and is highly worth the listen from first to last track in order to experience the full story that is being told. Some of our personal favourites are 'In the Valley of Lost Dreams', 'Land of Eternal Wisdom' and 'City of a Thousand Suns'.

Preview/buy: https://norite.bandcamp.com/album/memories-of-lumeria

10/05/2022

We've been busy. But we're back with our sharing of musical goodness.

This time we've got one of the recent releases from Icelandic label Móatún 7. We've been fans of their output for sometime now, following the steady stream of electronic music that tends to lean to the experimental end of the spectrum. The label concept is pretty quirky too - with each release having an extremely limited run of 7” lathe cut physical copies produced in Iceland.

This release from Tade is two dreamy tracks of ambient techno. 'Astraea' is a melancholic late night drive beneath tracing neon lights, carried along by warm bubbly synths that provide the interweaving melodies. 'One of those nights' brings a more defined groove that is steeped in atmosphere and which will steadily entrance you - creating a proper eyes-closed, head-swaying moment as you sift through vagrant memories.

Preview/buy: https://moatun7.bandcamp.com/album/moa110

05/04/2022

Ahead of Friday's launch, we had the pleasure of interviewing Space Textures head honcho Fernie about the label and the deep techno scene for The State of The Arts. It was a lot of fun to put together, and we got some great insight into a label that will certainly be one to watch in the years to come.

Fernie's recent mix for Monument is also a great mood setter for Friday:
https://soundcloud.com/monument-podcast/mnmt-324-fernie

Tickets 👉 https://ra.co/events/1495027

Ben Grounsell talks to Glaswegian label 'Space Textures' about the flourishing techno scene, as well as promoting the upcoming Portal Event at Eiger Studios, Leeds.

29/03/2022

Just over a week until we launch at Eiger Studios, bringing Basis Change (The Gods Planet / AFFIN), Kairogen (Soma Records / Space Textures) and Minus Kendal (NTS Radio). Grab your tickets via the link below or go get yourself a paper ticket from the Hyde Park Book Club for £10.

Expect great sound in an intimate setting for a unique opportunity to experience deep and atmospheric techno in Leeds. See you in the dance!

https://ra.co/events/1495027

11/03/2022

For the second installation of our "blog", we're looking at Glaswegian label Space Texture's most recent Textures compilation, featuring a track by Kairogen, whom we will also be hosting at our launch event on April 8.

The overarching theme of the release seems to us to be one that is submerged, whether that be in submarine cave systems or in the rush of bubbles or in the steady repetition of waves along a constantly evolving shoreline.

Looking beyond Kairogen's 'White Sands', a gentle and meditative offering, we're also fans of Farazdeck's 'Miscommunication' for its gradually building shimmers that escalate into a lovely percussive rhythm. We also like Mechanist's 'Gegenschein', a well-restrained and dubby exploration.

Preview/buy: spacetextures.bandcamp.com/album/textures-3-2

04/02/2022

Given that he will be playing our launch event on April 8, the latest release from Basis Change seems like the perfect place to begin our (semi) regular music blog (??), through which the aim is to share the releases we're currently enjoying.

In keeping with the intended focus of Portal, these releases will be tending towards the deep/hypnotic/ambient end of our tastes.

Each track on 'Links' makes for both heavy and highly hypnotic listening, though not without a noticeable warmth. This is partly down to plentiful texture and ethereal pads which maintain consistency with Basis Change's body of work. It's impressive to see a relatively new project already showcasing such a distinct voice. Our personal favourite track is 'Metanoia', which gradually grows into a deep and solid groove.

Preview/buy: https://affin.bandcamp.com/album/links

18/01/2022